Muslims from Azamgarh took out a huge rally in Lucknow on February 20 to protest the indiscriminate targeting by the intelligence agencies and police of Muslims especially youths from Azamgarh. This protest rally was led by Ulema Council which had earlier announced to contest the Lok Sabha elections. It is also considering a possible tie-up with Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF). The rally point was the historic Tile Wali Masjid. The Ulema warned the government of dire consequences if such types of atrocities are not halted immediately. The most startling feature of this rally was that not only Muslims but peace and justice-loving Non-Muslims also participated therein and extended their full support to the Muslims in their fight against the government’s indifferent attitude towards Muslims. Mahants from Ayodhya fully supported the cause of Babri Masjid as well. Addressing the rally, renowned Shi’a scholar and Member of All India Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) Maulana Kalbe Jawwad blamed the international media of conspiring with anti-Islam forces to project Muslims as terrorists.
Thousand of protesters, who had come from Azamgarh and adjoining areas by trains and buses, marched from Charabagh Railway Station to Tile Wali Masjid. They demanded a probe into the Batla House fake encounter, in which two youths from Azamgarh District were killed by the Delhi Police as well as immediate release of the other two who have been arrested on charges of terrorism.
Coming down heavily on the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre, Mufti Abdullah maintained, “The atrocities of the police and intelligence are on the rise. Despite all of this the government is acting as mute spectator.” He cautioned, “If this trend continues then Muslims not only from Azamgarh but form all over India would revolt against the government.”
Addressing the rally leader of Ulema Council Maulana Tahir Madani alleged, “Innocent youths are being implicated in false cases and harassed in the name of terror.” This way “an attempt is being made to paint a bad picture of the community,” claimed Maulana Madani.
He further added, “If the situation fails to improve and the injustice continues, agitation would be launched in all districts of the state.”
Severely condemning the BSP, SP, BJP and the Congress, Maulana Madani stated, “With Lok Sabha elections round the corner, the political parties are ready to woo Muslims with a new set of promises. However, this time the Muslims will not fall to their false promises.” He avowed to teach them a lesson by throwing the anti-community parties out of power. Maulana Madani revealed that Ulema Council would participate directly in the electoral process and appealed to the people to vote in favour of its candidates in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Maulana Fazlur Rahman Azami termed as “anti-Muslim” the policies of the state as well as Central government. “It is a matter of great shame and distress that the police targets only Muslim areas. I can smack of a dangerous conspiracy in this.” Convener of Ulema Council Maulana Aamir Rashadi stressed that the police atrocities would not be tolerated anymore. “The Council’s tirade would continue till the time justice is meted out to the Muslims.”
Former Congress leader of Azamgarh Chandulal Saroj, who announced his joining of Ulema Council, said, “The sharing of common stage by Mahant, Sanyasis and Ulema reminds me of our Freedom Struggle when all of the communities fought together for the common cause.”
Swamy Haridayal Mishra of Hindu Group of Ayodhya criticised the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), BJP, RSS and Bajrang Dal for being anti-Hindu. “These organisations have nothing to do with religion but they are a divisive force. They are dividing the Hindus and Muslims for their own vested interest. They just want to grab power.” The rally was held under the leadership of Maulana Aamir Rashadi.
Ulema Council announced the candidature of Amaresh Mishra from Lucknow Parliamentary Constituency for the Lok Sabha elections.
That the communal and fascist forces cannot tolerate such show of strength by Muslims proved true when some of the Ulema Council supporters from Azamgarh district who were on their way back to Bilariaganj from Azamgarh railway station, were attacked in Azampur area in the presence of police personnel, who usually chose to be mute spectators. As many as five buses and four other vehicles carrying about 300 people were attacked. Over 20 supporters of the Council were injured in the stone pelting.